Tire Carrier and your thoughts

[Topgun514]

Hey guys, just scored this off the local craigslist for $50

I haven't seen a tire carrier like this before on here and its made by Valley. Bolts through the tail light houses and 2 main bolts on each side on the bumper. It only has 2 lug screws which is a downer to me but I supported my weight on each one so I trust them. I through a ratchet strap over them as added support but overall I love it. Get the wind and noise off my roof and now I have a table mount and jerry can idea to work for the back. It fits snug and does lessen my departure angle but I am more on the overlanding scene and less rock crawling. My vision is barely skewed in the mirror too, its very nice I think.

Would love to hear some thoughts or advisories on this carrier.

mounts

I have gotten mixed reviews on this but I am thinking about making a folding table at least just for my 2 burner grill. With it fully extended it can hold most of my weight and I have been testing it without a tire and the 4 main bolts and it still holds up very well. If anyone needs more detail views on this I can get some because it feels sturdy but people are not liking this. I guess I am looking for some support from the people on Expo but give me some thoughts on this.

 

[wADVr]

Interesting. Does the latch rattle? I would be interested to see the hinges. I would start with fixing the tire mount to utilize 3 bolts and have the correct back spacing for your tire/wheel.

It is my guess that for light duty use with a light/small tire this would last but much more and I think you are going to have issues. Keep in mind the tail lights bolt to sheetmetal-not designed to support a load, vibration or leverage. i suppose some plating to spread the load to the corners and such would help but how much work is too much for this project?

 

[idaxj97]

that is deffently a different tire carrier ive never seen one like that is it home made?

 

[mudbutt]

....is it home made?

....its made by Valley.

:smiley_drive:

 

[chasingdreams]

I've seen first hand what happens to other autos when struck by a spare tire at 65 mph. It can be deadly. If the only thing holding that mount on is bolts through sheet metal, please take the time to either alter the design for a more secure mount or take it off your rig. You wouldn't be happy about the money you saved if a poorly mounted spare hurt or killed someone.

Safety first (Keep your rig as safe as possible)

Just because you can pick up a cheap part doesnt mean it's a good part. Maybe if you do some researching you can find a way to modify the mount so that it ties into the chassis. Just bolting through the body sheet metal is a bad way to go.... Over a short period of time the sheet metal will fatigue, crack and the bolts will pull through. With overlanding, you see your fair share of wash board roads..... this will only speed the process.

The locations of the bolts is where a tail light was designed to go.... That part of the body was "NOT" designed for the type of load and forces you are now putting on it.

Thanks for posting up and keep researching,... I'm sure someone will have some ideas that can steer you in the right direction.

 

[cico7]

I don;t see a table, but it is a good idea. The tire mount is cool other then
the strap. Can't see the wheel mount. But it looks like it should hold.

My wife doesnt like anything I do to my jeep, and she tells me. So I know not
to listen to her advise. But if your table works, do it.

 

[K2ZJ]

The locations of the bolts is where a tail light was designed to go.... That part of the body was "NOT" designed for the type of load and forces you are now putting on it.

It looks like it has two bolts that go with the taillights and a bracket that drops down to the bumper. That is repeated on both sides so that is 8 bolts total on both sides of the rig for distribution. I think with no more than a 31" you are fine. A 3rd bolt for the tire would help. The 2 are up and down and if there is a stop that helps with side to side motion it should be ok. Valley makes hitch receivers and they seem to be a decent company.

I think you made a good purchase.

 

[Topgun514]

I've seen first hand what happens to other autos when struck by a spare tire at 65 mph. It can be deadly. If the only thing holding that mount on is bolts through sheet metal, please take the time to either alter the design for a more secure mount or take it off your rig. You wouldn't be happy about the money you saved if a poorly mounted spare hurt or killed someone.

Safety first (Keep your rig as safe as possible)

Just because you can pick up a cheap part doesnt mean it's a good part. Maybe if you do some researching you can find a way to modify the mount so that it ties into the chassis. Just bolting through the body sheet metal is a bad way to go.... Over a short period of time the sheet metal will fatigue, crack and the bolts will pull through. With overlanding, you see your fair share of wash board roads..... this will only speed the process.

The locations of the bolts is where a tail light was designed to go.... That part of the body was "NOT" designed for the type of load and forces you are now putting on it.

Thanks for posting up and keep researching,... I'm sure someone will have some ideas that can steer you in the right direction.

Hey, thanks for your concern and you made me nervous before I read your post again. I have 3 bolts PER side that go though the tail light housing. The mounts are also supported by the tail light housing barely. Then I have 2 MAIN bolts PER side that are fixed and supported through each side of the bumper about 4 inches from the bumper mounting brackets to the frame. Also, the brackets near the tail lights are extended up so when the hood is closed, the hood bumps and entire hood itself is supporting the brackets as well and downward force can be put on the bumper as well.

I hope this clears up the mounting system a bit. So not only is the bracket per side bolted to the bumper and body, but the hatch also supports it in drive mode.

I love the comments because I want this to be talked about as I have never seen a stock gate like this. I can probably have a welder help me out with adding another bolt for the tire carrier too but even one bolt can hold my weight at 170 lbs- This is not under a force though so I would like to add more for washboard forces.

The rattling is located at the pins and there is about 1 mm of a movement that I can physically see. I am going to add either a rubber grommet type "thing" or just try wrapping it in electric tape.

 

[Topgun514]

An Addition- Before me, the previous owner had a 33 mounted up on this. I personally do not want anything bigger than a 31 and right now this is a 235

 

[gophere]

these were a factory option, not unsafe just tend to rust a bit

 

[chasingdreams]

Hey, thanks for your concern and you made me nervous before I read your post again. I have 3 bolts PER side that go though the tail light housing. The mounts are also supported by the tail light housing barely. Then I have 2 MAIN bolts PER side that are fixed and supported through each side of the bumper about 4 inches from the bumper mounting brackets to the frame. Also, the brackets near the tail lights are extended up so when the hood is closed, the hood bumps and entire hood itself is supporting the brackets as well and downward force can be put on the bumper as well.

I hope this clears up the mounting system a bit. So not only is the bracket per side bolted to the bumper and body, but the hatch also supports it in drive mode.

I love the comments because I want this to be talked about as I have never seen a stock gate like this. I can probably have a welder help me out with adding another bolt for the tire carrier too but even one bolt can hold my weight at 170 lbs- This is not under a force though so I would like to add more for washboard forces.

The rattling is located at the pins and there is about 1 mm of a movement that I can physically see. I am going to add either a rubber grommet type "thing" or just try wrapping it in electric tape.

With having some fasteners into the bumper and the 31" tire, I would think you should be fine. Having the third bolt on the rim is a great idea.

I would periodically check the bolts around the taillight housing. If you do a Google search for Valley Tire Carrier for a jeep and reach through some of the forum postings,.... you will find there have been people that had issues with cracks. Keeping the fasteners tight should help in that regard.

 

[bldeagle10]

can we see some pictures of the carrier without the tire on? if that isnt to much trouble. and with it off, the system closed and the gate extended open. and the mounting on both sides and such.

 

[BEVAN]

Just food for thought,I ordered this...

http://www.detoursusa.com/tailbone.php

 

[Topgun514]

bldeagle: Here are some shots from today if you want. I can get more shots too but I was in a rush from doing my suspension over today.

After a few weeks of it on, I have made it not rattle at all and notice that I may put some washers and bolts in the back but it is holding up perfectly so far and hit some bumps without moving. Trying not to jinx it though!

One bolt is slightly skewed but it doesnt hold weight so it will wait til springtime or so. I am still liking the design and can hang comfortably about 40 pounds swung open on it.